MormonSpeak: Images of Conference
What image will come to mind when you remember October General Conference 2007?
Yeah, I know — that was a whole week ago, and in the contemporary world of up-to-the-nanosecond information, “now” is news, “yesterday” is history and “last week” is about as relevant as a phonograph needle.
But sometimes the most meaningful memories grow sharper and more clearly focused when viewed through the prism of time. Which is why right now may be the perfect time to reflect on the things we saw and heard and felt — especially felt — during the most recent round of conference sessions.
For some — especially those who were in the Conference Center for Saturday morning’s first general session — the most lasting memory will be the delightful image of President Gordon B. Hinckley making his way back to his seat after conducting the sustaining vote for new Church leaders (including his new second counselor, President Henry B. Eyring) and playfully reaching out with his cane to “knight” President Eyring.
For others it will be the opportunity to get acquainted with a brand, new apostle, Elder Quentin L. Cook, who, at age 67 becomes the junior apostle and one of three apostles (the other two are Elder Holland and Elder Uchtdorf) to be born in 1940. Because Elder Cook is the eldest of the three apostolic members of the Class of ’40, he comes into the Quorum as the fourth-youngest apostle (Elder Bednar remains the youngest — by 12 years).
For still others, the most lasting image of October Conference 2007 will be the image of esteemed organist John Longhurst perched upon the organ bench, providing musical accompaniment for his last General Conference session. President Hinckley announced during the Conference that Brother Longhurst is retiring after 30 . . . ahem . . . noteworthy years as Tabernacle Choir organist. It’s hard to imagine singing “I Believe in Christ” without him — which, of course, we wouldn’t, since he wrote the music that goes with Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s inspired words.
I’ll remember all of those images — especially the impish grin on President Hinckley’s face after “knighting” President Eyring. But the image that will be with me forever is the image of Elder Russell M. Nelson standing to support and sustain — literally — Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin when the 90-year-old apostle locked his knees while speaking.
For me, there were two great lessons in one touching scenario. First was the willingness of Elder Nelson to do what needed to be done. Sometimes it’s hard to do the right thing even when you know it’s the right thing to do (just ask any bishop who has been faced with the need to put an end to a Fast Sunday “testimony” that has gone too far or too long — or both). It might not have been obvious to those who attended in the Conference Center or who were listening on radio, but to those of us who were watching on TV it was clear that Elder Wirthlin was struggling physically. It was difficult to pay attention to the powerful words he was speaking because we were so concerned about his well-being. But what should be done? And who should do it? Is there a protocol for handling speaker emergencies at the Conference Center?
Recent comments
Thanks for the article. I had many of the same feelings as I watched...
Shelly Mock | Oct. 21, 2007 at 10:48 p.m.
The thing I remember most about this last conference is thinking...
Didn't See/Hear | Oct. 16, 2007 at 2:57 p.m.
I'm still looking forward to seeing the Conference.
...
Katie B | Oct. 15, 2007 at 10:05 p.m.
